Designing the door area

It is vital that you read the following chapter on floors (starting page 57)
to help you design your foundation and threshold.

The positioning of the door(s) must be decided when you are designing your
foundation. Underneath the door, the height of the foundation must be lower
than the height of the rest of the foundation. The depth of the foundation under
the door may need to be increased so that there will be enough material to make
sure the foundation is continuous. If you live where the ground is stable, you
may opt to have no foundation under the doors or a much less substantial foundation
under the doors and under any sunny, glass-filled, lightweight walls.

Decide what material you will use for the top surface of the threshold, and
build it accordingly. If you are using the foundation stone itself, make sure
it is as flat as possible so the bottom of the door seals well.

Make sure that the threshold will be a dry place.

Slant the outdoors ground away from the threshold.

Plan to extend the roof eaves or add a porch to protect this area from
rain.

In temperate climates, place the door somewhere other than into the
prevailing wind, or on the cold side of the house. In hot climates you may
want to put it on the windy side of your house.

Raise the wooden door frame above ground level to prevent rot.

Where the ground level is a lot lower than the floor level, you may
decide to make outdoor steps or a ramp up to the door. (During building you'll
want a ramp for dragging tarps of cob and for wheelbarrows.)

Consider which way the door will swing open. It invites you to go the
way it swings. (If you live where it snows a lot, make the door open inward
so you don't get trapped inside by snow piling up against the door.) However,
doors opening in take up precious indoor space.